Book-cover protector.



E. L. ROWLES.

BOOK COVER PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1915- 1,238,342. Patented Aug. 28,1917.

anuewtoz agMGz-QW ('1 Hana" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIZABETH L. ROWLES, OF GOODHUE, MINNESOTA.

' BOOK-COVER rno'rncron.

Specification of Letters Patent: 'PatentedAug, 28, 1917,

Application filed June 2, 1915. Serial No. 31,726.

protector designed to extend about the en-' tire outer surface of thesides and back of the book, reinforcing tabs to protect the respectivecorners of the sides and a reinforcing strip to protect the back; thelatter engaging the back and prevents the accidental displacement of thecover during the opening and closing movement of the book.

The main object resides in the provision of a device of theabove naturewhich is simple, compact and durable and which is constructed so that itwill be neat in appearance and manufactured at a minimum cost.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during thecontinuance of the following description.

The above and other objects which will become apparent, are accomplishedby such means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings, described in the following specification and then morespecifically pointed out in the, appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate likeparts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved cover protector showing the sameas in an open position.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of my invention shown applied to thecover of a book.

Fig. 4c is a detail view showing the back reinforcing member when firstcut from the stock.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the upper right hand portion ofFig. 3 slightly enlarged.

In constructing the cover protector, a section of flexible material isrovided, such for instance as a heavy Mani a paper. The paper is cut toform a substantially rectangular body 10 carrying tapering extensions 11and 12 adjacent its respective ends, and tabs 13 and ldupon itsrespective upper andlower edges, The extensions and tabs are preferablybent to lie in the osition indicated in Fig. 1, so that the en s of.

the extensions such as designated at 12. will overlie the adjacentportion of the tabs 13 and 14. The overlying portions 12 of theextensions maybe secured to the adjacent tab by any suitable means.However inthe drawings I have shown the same stitched as at 15, in orderto more clearly set forth the construction of my invention.

After the extensions, and tabs have been secured in this position, itwill be noted that I suitable pockets'are formed in-the protector 10which may conveniently receive the respective covers of a book. In orderto more securely hold the tabs and extensions in this position, and toobviatethe danger of the same becoming unloosened or torn during theinsertion of the sides of the back, reinforcing members 16 are employedand arranged to extend. about the respective inner edges of the tabs andextensions in the mannerclearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The reinforcingstrips may be attached to the adj acent structure in a-ny desiredmanner, yet I have :found that the same may be quickly attached bystitching.

In consistence with the foregoing, I have devised a suitable reinforcingmeans which may be constructed of celluloid or the like bendablematerial. This means consists generally of the substantiallyangularshaped clips 17 which fit snugly about the' corners of theprotector structure as clearly.

illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, not only protecting the cover of the book,but preventing the corners of the sides of the book from be-. cominginjured. If it is so desired, these clips may be permanently attached tothe cover by suitable means.

I have also devised an improved reinforcing strip 18 which may be formedof celluloid or the like material which is designed to protect the backof the book when my im proved cover is arranged in place. The strip 18is provided with a. tapering extension 19 at each end thereof which isprefer ably bent into the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3 to extend overthe upper edge of the back of the book and snugly engage the innersurface thereof. The strip is secured to the cover protector through themedium of the spaced apart tongues 20 which are car the tongues 20 serveto retain the respective ends of the reinforcing members 15 and 16 inposition, consequently preventmg the same from becoming loosened orraveling.

The strip 18 may also be attached to the body of the cover such asgluing the same in position or by employing metallic clips or fastenerssuch as pointed out in connection with the clips 17'. From theconstruction of the strip 18, it will be noted that the same may bestamped from an integral section of material consequently reducing thecost of manufacture.

In applying my improved protector to a book, one side of the book isfirst inserted into the pocket provided therefor to the left ofFig. 1,after which the book is moved in the usual manner so as to permit itsother side to be positioned in the opposite pockets of the protector.W'hen thus arranged, the

extension 19 may be engaged with the back of the book as pointed outhereinbefore and as illustrated in Fig. 8, whereby the protector will besecurely retained in place. After" the cover protector has been attachedin this manner, the book may be opened or closed with the usual ease andthe cover will not in any way impede such opening or closing movement.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that my invention isexceedingly simple in construction and it is believed that the utilityof the reinforcing clips and the strip 18 will be readily recognized.

In reducing my inventionto practice I find that the form referred toherein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the mostefficient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily varyin concurrence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasize thefact that various minor changes in the details of construction and inthe proportion of parts may be resorted to when required withoutsacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as defined in the.appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto se cure by Letters Patent is:

1. A book cover protector comprising a body for covering the sides of abook, and a reinforcing strip positioned intermediate the length of thebody and having gripping tongues and end extensions extending therefrom,the gripping tongues being bent to grip the protector and connect thereinforci ng strip therewith, the extensions being bent to engage theback of the hook and connect the protector therewith.

'2; A reinforcing body for a book cover protector comprising a resilientstrip having tongues at opposite ends bent back thereupon to embrace theupper and lower edges of a protector, and extensions at opposite ends ofthe strip bent back to pass over the upper and lower edges of the backof a book and engage the inner face thereof to connect the protectorwith the back of a book.

3. A reinforcing body for the back engaging portion of a book coverprotector comprising a strip having tongues and end extensions extendingtherefrom, the tongues when bent back upon the strip extending to engagethe book cover protector and connect the reinforcing body therewith, andthe extensions when bent back upon the strip extending to engage theback of a book and connect the cover protector with the back of a book.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIZABETH L. ROIVLES. \Vitnesses:

JOHN A. RYAN, JAs. 1?. RYAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. 0.

